Pregnancy & Your Oral Health:
What You Need to Know

The Links Between Oral Health & Pregnancy

As medically trained experts, MDA dentists know dental care is an essential part of prenatal health care.¹ Good oral hygiene habits and regular dental care play a significant role in maintaining your health and promoting the baby’s healthy development.

Pregnancy introduces a range of physiological changes that can affect the mouth.² For example, increased hormones can contribute to pregnancy gingivitis—a condition marked by swollen, tender gums that bleed easily and increase your chance of infection.

As with any illness or infection during pregnancy, when your health is compromised, it can impact the health of the growing child. Poor oral health during pregnancy, including cavities and gum disease, can have far-reaching consequences. Research suggests that severe gum disease (which can start as pregnancy gingivitis) may be associated with preterm birth, an increased risk of preeclampsia (a high blood pressure disorder), and low birth weight.³

Across all stages of pregnancy, routine dental care is safe and helps prevent painful complications from impacting your health and the baby’s development. You can promote good oral health between dental visits by maintaining strong daily oral hygiene practices at home. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day provides a great foundation for your oral hygiene routine. MDA dentists recommend adding flossing or using a Waterpik™ (or interdental cleaner) to your daily at-home care practices. This reduces the bacterial levels in your mouth, helping to protect you and the baby against cavities and infection.

Common Oral Health Challenges During Pregnancy

Pregnancy-related hormonal changes, coupled with changes in diet and common GI issues such as heartburn (or GERD), increase your risk of developing a variety of oral health issues.³ Some of the most common oral health complications during pregnancy include:

• Pregnancy Gingivitis: This form of gum disease is perhaps the most common oral health issue pregnant individuals face.⁵ The hormonal changes in the body and in your saliva increase your gum tissue’s response to plaque. A heightened inflammatory response can result in redness, swelling, bleeding gums, and oral infection. If left untreated, pregnancy gingivitis can escalate into periodontitis (gum disease), a more severe infection affecting the teeth, gums, soft tissues of the mouth, and the jaw bone.⁶
• Gum Disease (Periodontitis): Periodontitis poses a significant risk during pregnancy. This severe gum disease can lead to tooth loss and has been linked to preterm birth and low birth weight. The infection and inflammation associated with periodontitis can also exacerbate the challenges of managing existing diabetes or gestational diabetes during pregnancy, highlighting the interconnectedness of oral health and overall health.³
• Raised Red Bumps (Pyogenic Granuloma): Small, raised red bumps may appear on the soft tissue of the mouth, around the gums, and tongue.¹ These may resolve after birth, however, see your MDA dentist if they bleed, impact eating and drinking, or cause discomfort.
• Morning Sickness, Heartburn, & Acid Erosion: Many pregnant individuals experience morning sickness and heartburn. Both expose your teeth to stomach acid. Over time, repeated exposure can erode tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to cavities and decay.⁵
• Dry Mouth: Pregnancy can alter saliva production, leading to dry mouth. Saliva is crucial for neutralizing acids and washing away food particles. Without adequate saliva, the risk of tooth decay and other oral health problems increases.
• Cavities: The combination of changes in hormones, eating habits—especially any increased consumption of sugary snacks and beverages due to cravings—and the effects of morning sickness and heartburn can elevate your risk of developing cavities during pregnancy.⁵

Many of these challenges can be prevented, or their impact reduced, through routine dental care and prompt treatment at the first sign of symptoms.

Regular cleanings and check-up visits with your MDA dentist help pave the way for early detection and management of potential dental issues throughout pregnancy. Small, proactive efforts like routine dental care and good daily oral hygiene habits including brushing and flossing go a long way toward keeping you and the baby in good health.

Pregnancy & Routine Dental Care

Continuing dental care is essential during pregnancy, not just for your oral health and overall health but also for the baby’s growth and development. As a member of your prenatal care team, your MDA dentist may work closely with your OB/GYN, Midwife, or Doula to ensure you receive the best care possible for your unique health needs.

If you experience a “high-risk” pregnancy or have certain pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, your regular MDA dentist may refer you to a colleague specializing in prenatal care and treating medically compromised individuals.

Throughout your pregnancy, your MDA dentist and their dental care team help safeguard your oral health by providing:

• Early Detection and Treatment: Regular dental visits allow for the early detection of oral health issues from the beginning stages of pregnancy gingivitis to active cavities. This makes it easier for your MDA dentist and OB/GYN to intervene with timely treatment before dental disease impacts your health or the baby’s.
• Routine Dental Cleanings: Dental cleanings remove excess plaque and tartar build-up under the gum line, reducing the bacteria levels in your mouth and contributing to good oral and overall health.
• Personalized Oral Hygiene Guidance: Your MDA dentist and their care team will provide advice and guidance for managing any pregnancy-related oral health changes you face. That includes tips from combating morning sickness’s effects on dental health to managing pregnancy-related dry mouth.

As is the case with any aspect of your health, it’s important to observe and report any significant changes in your body during pregnancy. Just like you check in with your OB/GYN, Midwife, or Doula regularly, do the same with your MDA dentist, as they’re a part of your prenatal care team.⁷

Dental Treatment During Pregnancy & After Birth

Dental care during and after pregnancy is a journey of preventive steps and sometimes necessary treatments. Deciding to proceed with any dental treatment is always deeply personal and should come from a place of understanding and partnership. Together, your MDA dentist and OB/GYN can help you navigate the safest and most comfortable options for your essential treatments and any follow-up care needed after the baby arrives.^7,8

• Routine Preventive Care: Preventive dental treatments, such as cleanings and check-ups, are not only safe but recommended during pregnancy.⁷ These visits support the early identification and management of dental diseases and other oral health issues.
• Necessary Dental Work: Necessary dental treatment is safe during all stages of pregnancy. Depending on your oral and overall health, the early stages of some conditions may be monitored throughout pregnancy however, others will need immediate attention.
• Emergency Dental Treatment: Procedures requiring emergency care should not be delayed, as untreated infections can pose risks to both your health and that of the unborn child.

Pregnancy-related dental care doesn’t stop after birth; neither do good daily oral hygiene practices. Postnatal check-ups and follow-up care are essential for your health, too. These appointments can address any oral issues that may have arisen during pregnancy or deferred treatment needs.

Oral Care Tips for Pregnant Individuals

Effective oral hygiene during pregnancy involves more than just regular brushing and flossing. Here are some hygiene tips from MDA dentists to help you maintain optimal oral health throughout pregnancy:

• Daily Brushing and Flossing: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the teeth and gums gently. For those experiencing morning sickness, switching to a mild-tasting fluoride toothpaste may help reduce nausea.
• Thorough Rinsing: Rinse your mouth after brushing before bed each night using an alcohol-free, fluoride mouthwash. This can help eliminate excess oral bacteria and safeguard your teeth and gums.
• Protect Against Acid: If you have morning sickness or vomiting during pregnancy, do not brush immediately after vomiting. Instead, rinse your mouth with a teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of tepid water. The baking soda will help neutralize harmful acids that contribute to tooth decay.^2,5,7
• Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet and limiting sugary snacks can help prevent cavities and promote overall health. Be sure to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated!
• Dry Mouth Management: Stay hydrated with water and consider using sugar-free lozenges to stimulate saliva production. Sucking on ice chips and chewing sugar-free gum containing xylitol can also help improve saliva production without eroding teeth.

Be mindful of how your teeth, mouth, and gums look and feel throughout your pregnancy. If you experience any changes, including bleeding gums, loose teeth, or tooth pain, don’t hesitate to schedule a visit with your MDA dentist at the first sign of symptoms.

Pregnancy Is a Reason to Smile

The pregnancy journey is one of profound change, including changes to your oral health. By partnering with an MDA dentist and incorporating dental care into your prenatal care plan, you can navigate these changes safely and effectively. Remember, taking care of your oral health during pregnancy isn’t just about avoiding complications; it’s about contributing to the baby’s healthy development.

Whether you’re currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or supporting someone who is, make an MDA dentist part of the prenatal care team. If you don’t have a dentist, find one with the MDA’s Find-A-Dentist tool. Together, with the right care and attention, your MDA dentist can help set you and the baby up for a healthier start.

As you get ready to welcome your little bundle of joy home, learn how you can help protect them from cavities and other dental diseases. For all things infant oral health, take a peek-a-boo at this MDA dentist-approved article.